What is the Origin of Functional Deficit Correction?

The term originates from the philosophy of functional medicine, which emphasizes understanding the 'why' behind a patient's state rather than just labeling the condition. Deficit correction implies an active intervention to restore the function of a system to its optimal operational capacity. It contrasts with simple disease management.

What is the Mechanism of Functional Deficit Correction?

The mechanism operates by targeting the most significant upstream constraint on the system's health. For instance, if low DHEA-S is observed, the protocol might first correct chronic inflammation or oxidative stress impacting adrenal function before directly supplementing the precursor. This iterative correction ensures that any subsequent hormonal optimization is sustained by a more robust physiological foundation.

Functional Deficit Correction

Meaning

A systematic clinical process aimed at identifying and remediating the underlying physiological inefficiencies that prevent optimal endocrine function or systemic resilience, rather than merely treating the resulting symptoms. This correction focuses on upstream regulatory failures, such as impaired mitochondrial efficiency or nutrient malabsorption, which cascade into downstream hormonal issues. It requires a thorough investigation into physiological capacity.